Homemade Microwave Potato Chips that Actually Taste Amazing

Fun, fast, flavourful snacks that curb cravings for carbs

I’m pretty sure my kids could mount an impressive argument in favor of chips as a food group. We love ‘em over here, but there are occasionally issues of … ahem … self-control. (Points reproachful finger at husband and son). My solution is to serve up small batches of delectable homemade chips which are not only fresher, tastier and chemical-free, they’re also ridiculously easy to make – a great kitchen project to enjoy with kids! All you need is a mandolin (or sharp knife and steady hand) to create uniform, thin potato slices; soak to remove excess starch, and then, in less than ten minutes of microwaving time you’ll have delectable, low-calorie snacks.

One of the things I love most about this method is that you can cook up just one potato at a time, so you won`t have the rest of bag winking at you seductively from across the room. For fat-free chips, omit the oil; they’re almost as tasty and 100% guilt-free!

Put the sliced potatoes in a medium bowl and cover with water (or vinegar, for salt and vinegar chips).

Soak the slices for 45 – 60 minutes.

Put the potato slices in a sieve or colander and drain liquid. Lay the potato slices out in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel (or paper towel) and pat the tops dry.

While slices are drying, rinse out the bowl and dry it well.

Put the dry slices back in the bowl and drizzle 1 teaspoon of canola oil over top. (Note that this step is optional.) Rub oil into potatoes with fingertips so they are evenly coated.

Lay the slices out in a single layer without any overlap on a sheet of parchment paper the same size as your microwave turntable. For ease of transfer, put the parchment on a pizza paddle if you have one, or remove the turntable from the microwave, place it on the counter and put the parchment on it.

For regular or salt & vinegar, sprinkle lightly with salt. For barbeque chips, combine seasoning ingredients and sprinkle over potatoes. Note that you may not need all the seasoning mix depending upon the size of your potato (but save any extra as it’s a great BBQ rub).

Carefully transfer the parchment paper and seasoned potatoes into the microwave, close the door and cook on high power for 4 minutes.

Using tongs, carefully flip the potato slices over (they’ll be very hot).

Microwave on high for 2 more minutes. Check and remove any chips that are uniformly golden brown and place these on a wire rack to cool.

Continue microwaving the potato slices in 30 second increments, removing cooked chips after each interval and placing them on a wire rack to cool.

Be sure to watch the potatoes carefully as they cook so they don’t burn. You’ll need to keep an especially close eye on the barbeque chips as it is a bit harder to tell when they are browned because of the seasonings.

Depending upon the power of your microwave, the entire cooking process can take from six to ten minutes.

Notes:

The chips will continue to crisp up as they cool. Once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to five days.

If you are making multiple batches of chips, be sure to let the microwave turntable cool down between batches so it doesn’t overheat and crack.

Each batch makes approximately 1 1/2 cups of chips (depending upon size of potato).

Paula Roy readily admits that she’s obsessed with food. Typically, it’s the first thing she thinks of in the morning and the last of the day as well. You would be mistaken to think she’s developing wrinkles – they are actually permanent creases caused by falling asleep while reading cookbooks in bed. She recognizes that not everyone shares her passion for cooking, so she channels much of her enthusiasm into creating family-friendly recipes that are easy to prepare and yield delicious results.

Although her husband and kids are eager taste testers, Paula knows she’ll eventually be paying for their therapy thanks to her constant cries of, “don’t touch that plate, I haven’t taken a photo yet!”

Paula loves to travel and explore whatever culinary treasures a destination has to offer. In addition to leading cooking classes and making frequent TV appearances, she’s also a busy freelance writer and serves as the food editor of popular style magazine Ottawa At Home. In addition to her contributions for YMC, you can also follow Paula’s edible adventures through her blog, Constantly Cooking, and keep up with her daily kitchen antics on Twitter and Instagram.